Sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses



March 15, 1,932. c. F. ROOT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FR PRINTING PRESSES v Filed April 18, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet March 15, 1932. c. F. ROOT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed April 18, 1921 5 Sheetsheet 2 March 15, 1932. C. F. ROOT 1,849,313

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed April 18, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 15, 1932. c. F. RooT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 18 I... /H\m March 15, 1932. c. F. ROOT SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed April 18, 192i 5 sheets-sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

Char/e5 /oo/ ATTORN YS Patented Mar. 15, 1932 PATENT ennemis` F. Roon, on CLEVELAND, maro, ASsiGNoRfTo '11H3 oHnNnnsn'aa .Enron oomy PANY, on CLEVELAND, oHIo, n CORPORATION or omo@ I SHEErnEEn'rNG MECHANISM For'.` PRINTING PRESSES Application med April 18,

The present improvements, relating, as indicated, to mechanism for feeding sheets to printing presses, have more particular regard to sheet feeding devices designed for use with so-called Gordon or platen printing presses. The peculiar difficulties involved inproviding a Satisfactory automatic s'heet'feed, (as well as sheetdelivery) for presses of this type need not be detailed, being well understood'. Such difficulties are further evidenced by the numerous attempts that have been made to provide devices of this sort, only a relatively small number of which have everfound even limited commercial use'. 1-

The object of the present invention is to Y provide af sheet feeding devicevthat may bev readily attached to existing presses with little or no alteration inthei'rl structure, andA that, when attachedA orinstalle'd, will not unduly encumber the press or be in the way of the operator; The sheets are picked upv by.` pneumatic suction and novel and improvedl means for controlling such suction conjoint-- ly with the movement of the lpicker fingers f so as to locate the sheets accurately on'the platen of the press constitute further features to which attention `will be directed, this feature being of particular interest where the stack or pile is located at an angle to the blaten. Y i To the accomplishmentl of the foregoing and related ends,` said invention, then, vcon# sists ofthe means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in ythe claims, the, annexed drawings and the following' description setting forth in detail certain mech# anism embodying the inventiomsuch disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various; forms in whichfthe principle of the invention may be used.V

y In said annexed drawings y Fig. l is a plan view showing my improved sheet-feedingv mechanism'as Vattached to a press of ythe type inhand,` the latter being shown in this,'as'well `asin the succeeding figures, in dotted-outline only; Fig.2 isa front elevation of such mechanism and press; Fig. 3 is a side elevationof the same; Fig. 4 is a vertical section takenon the plane` indi-v cated by the line 4 4, Figs. 1 and2; Fig. 5

1921. Serin No. 462,256.,

is a similar section taken at vrightangles to i that of Fig. 4, as indicated bythe :line 5:-5, Fig. l; Figs. 6 and 7 are vertical sections 'of details, the planes thereof being indicated by the lines (SL-6 and `7-7, respectively, Fig. l; F ig. 8 is a side elevation of anotherodetail viewed from the right in Fig. -5; Fig. 9 is a similar view of a modifiedcons'truction; Fig. lO'is a section similar toFig. 4,but show-A ing amodiication; Fig. 1l illustrates amodfified detail; and Fig. -12 vis a perspective View showing a portion of the structure. 0f vFigli Y' i I L on a' larger scale. i y The' press illustrated in the drawings, as

previously indicated, is of the familiar platen or Gordon type 4and need not beV further dev scribed than to note vthe oscillatorily mounted imI i platen l on which the Sheetfrequires `to be placed preliminarily to beingbrought Ainto contact with the form by the conjoint moveing mechanism therefor, onlyl asu'itable table` V or support 4 for the stack 5 of blanli'slieets.

This table wijll beprovided with suitsfb'lek fr elevating mechanism, preferably automatic in character, whereby the upper-surface of the.stackf5jn1ay be' maintained atl'a substantially'constant elevation'. Various tables 'o'f this sort'ha'vefbeen devised and fare on lthe market,l and sin'cegthe' construction of such table' forms no part ofthe present invention,`

detailed illust-ration thereof has been omitted,- as merely tending `to confusion'. AThis table, however, it` willA be noted, is :located wholly to the rear and vat .one side o'f .theplaten so as not to interfere in anyway withgthe .oper-M ators access to the ,latter or other `parts'of l I the, press.

The mainsupporting member of the vSheet 109 y or plate 13 adapted to be bolted against the fixed therein.

lower portion of such side frame.' Saidv tubular shaft 10, as afmatter of fact, is not directly mounted in the bearings 11 just referred to, but lies within a telescoping tube 12 that is, in addition to being rotatable in its bearings, capable of vertically reciprocable movement therein as well. rlhis outer tube 12 terminates short of the upper end of the inner tube 10, and the latter likewise extends downwardly beyond said outer tube, as shown in the sectional view of Fig. 4i, being rotatably supported in said bearing in any suitable way.

Fixedly mounted on the upper end of tubular shaft 10 is a cap piece 14 provided with a radially projecting arm 15, and longitudinally aligned with the latter is a tubular extension 16 that is rotatively adjustably An inner tube 17 is in turn rotatively movable within said extension 16,

its respective ends projecting beyond said extension 16 in the one case, and beyond the bracket 15l in the other, as best shown in Fig-.1. A hollow arm 18 is fixedly attached to the end of said member 17 thus projecting 1beyond tubular extension 16, said arm lyingat right angles to said'member, and having loscillatorily mounted in a suitable bearing at its extremity a transverse tubular shaft 19. n As shown in Fig. 5, the tubular v be hereinafter described.

member1-7 is'formed so that its interior remains at all times, i. e., irrespective of any oscillatory movement of said member, in communication with the interior of tubular shaft 10 through cap piece 14 and bracket 15, subject ,only to the control of ya valve, as will The ltransverse shaft 19 at the outer end of arm 18 will accordingly likewise be thus in connection at all times with the interior of said tubular shaft 10. Y

The sheet engaging and moving devices or grips, shown as two in number and in the form of suction tips or lingers 20, are carried by tubular arms 21 that are attached to said shaft 19, exteding therefrom in a reverse direction, i. e., so as to lie generallyV alongside of arm 18. Each of the tubular arms 21, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, is of angular form" and two-piece 21c construction, the one piece depending downwardly from and being` "5 tally from and being adjustablysecured to such first piece by a clamp 21h, whereby angular position of thuis portion of the arm, together with the suction tips 20 carriedrby it, may be varied in a horizontal plane about such first part as an axis. In order to better understand the relation and operation of the parts just described,'it will be notedV that the tubular shaft 19 andthe jointed arms 21 clamped thereto may be regarded as constituting a vmember oscillatorily mounted on arm 18 about an axis removed from the axis of oscillation of the 1rater in the horizontally extended support 16. The suction tips 20, as shown, comprise portions that are longitudinally adjustably secured in the horizontal portions of the tubular arms 21 by means of clamp 'collars 22, whereby the effective length of the arms may be/varied. As-a result of the construct-ion ofthe parts of the sheet-transferring mechanism just described, it will be notedr in the first place thatby angularly adjustingthe arms 21 about tubular shaft 19 through the medium of clamps 21a, the suction tips may berbrought intoY proper vertical position with respect to the stack 5 in the one case and to the platenV 1 in the other, as indicated by the doubleheaded arrow m, Fig. 12. In the second place, by angularly adjusting the horizontal portions of the jointed arms 21 through the medium of clamps 21h, the positions of the suction tips 2O may be independently varied in a direction transversely of the surface of theplaten, as indicated by the doubleheadedl arrow y, Fig. 12; and in the third place, by adjusting the suction tipsV longitudinally of the arms 21 through the medium of clamps 22, the positions of such tips may be independentlyvaried from front to-rear ofthe platen, as indicated by the doubleheaded arrow e, Fig. 12. In other words, it is possible to selecta wide range of positions in both directions for eachl of the grips to contact with the platen, or rather withv a sheet to be transferred, thus adapting the mechanism lfor use with sheets of irregular shape, cut-outs andthe like. f

LFixedly attached to tubular member 16 is an arm 25 that is connected by means of a link 26 with a lever arm 27 on the aligned end of shaft 19. Actually, the best shown in Fig. 5, the arm 25 is adj ustably mounted on member 16 in desired angular position by means of a set screw 25a. As a result ofthis construction it will be seen :that oscillation vof tubular member 17 will be effective, not only to drop the outer end oftubular arm 18 and therewith the shaft 19, butY also' torock said suction fingers are located overthe stack 5 is shown in full lines, while theirchanged position where located over the platen 1 is shown in dotted outline. `Variation-in the angular adjustment of arm 25 on tubular member 16 servesto 4secure the same result as does the previously described angular adjustment of arms 21 about member 19 through the'medium of clamps 21a; in other words, the normal position of the sucker tips in vertical relation to the plane of the stack 5 and/or platen may be varied by either or both of these adjustments, it being noted that the first-named adjustment, viz., of said arm 25 on member 16, serves to adjust both sucker tips simultaneously, while adjustment thereof through the medium of clamps 21 may be independently made.

Upon referring to Fig. 2 (see also the per spective view of the sheet transferring mechanism in Fig. 12, which shows the parts in the same operative position, i. e., with the sucker tips 20 in contact with' the uppermost sheet of stack 5), it will be seen that" al lost motion connection is provided between armA 25 and the link 26 by having pivot pin 25b work in ashort slot 25C. llhen the parts are in proper adjustment, this pin should, as illustrated, occupy an intermediate position in the slot when the sucker tips thus Contact with a sheet, either on the stack or platen, such contactV being then merely by gravity. Of course, during theswinging movement of arm 16, the pin 25b will move to one end of the slot, viz, the left as shown in the figures last referred to. j f

Ashas been explained above, the arms 25 and 27 are respectively adjustable on rtheir supports 16 and 19 by suitably loosening the set screws 25a and 25d. It has also been oint ed out that by adjusting one or the ot er vof said arms 25 and 27 relatively to its immediate support the adjusted position of the sucker -tips 20 may be varied at will, at either the point of pick up or at the point of'delivery. In addition to this described function another important adjustment of the sucker tips 20 maybe effected through the relative adjusted positions ofboth such arms 25-and 27j'on their supports. It is contemplated under certain circumstances in the use of my improved sheet transferring mechanism on various presses that the relative positions of either the sheet Carrying table or of the platen may be slightly'varied. Accordingly, it is possible to so adj ust the operating devices for such sucker tips, i. e., the arms 25 and 27 and link 26, that these tipsl shall in one case piel; up the sheets at identically ythe same point, but in delivery position `be varied to accommodate the variations or irregularities in the relative vertical position of the face of the platen when in sheetposition, or vice versa, the sucker tips may engage with the platen always at -the same elevation and with the paper stack i at adjusted elevation. Fromyan inspection of Fig. 12 of the drawings it will be seen that. upon loosening the screws 25"l and 25d the varms 25and 27 may be swung either to the left or 'right without changing` the pick up `position of the sucker tips 20, and it will be obvious that any relative change in the angularity of the arms 25 and 27 will produce a different final delivery position of suck sucker tips 20 because of the difference inthe throw of arms 25 and 27 in their actuation to lower the sheet engaging and moving device .to the platen. This adjustment as stated may on the other hand be made at the time the sucker tips are in contact with the platen to vary the pick up position thereof. Oscillation of tubular shaft 17 is secured by means of a lever attached to its inner end, i. e., the end lying adjacent to cap piece 14, and a link 31 that connects the free endof said lever with the upper end of the outer tubular shaft 12 that surrounds inner shaftv 10. A collar 32 on such upper end of shaft 12 provides means for thus attaching link 31 to the latter and also carries a pin 33that lies parallel with the axis of the two shafts in question, and slidably enga-ges an aperture in alaterallyprojecting lug 3,4 onl cap piece 14. From the construction just described it will be seen that rotation ofthe outer shaft 12 will be effective torota-te the inner shaft 10 irrespective of the verticalV position ofsaid shaft 12, and that, conversely, reciprocation of shaft 12 and consequent oscillation of Jtue bular shaft`17 may take place irrespective of the vrotative position of the two shafts 10and12l x `For the purpose of oscillating the. two shafts 10 and 12 and thereby swinging in a horizontal plane the sheet lifting and transferring mechanism supported frombraclnet 15, as well as for reciprocating said shaft 12 in order to oscillate tubular shaft 17, andv thereby raise and lower the suction fingers 20 in required manner and at proper times, any suitable means may beprovided. The preferred means, as illustrated, consist of a transverse driving shaft 40 ournaled in suit` able bearings 41 on the "main frameof the press, the right-hand end of said shaft, as viewed in Fig. 2, being connected by means. of suitable gears 42 with the so-called large gear 43 of the press.' Said shaft 40, it will i of parallel links 49,theteeth on suchbarengaging with a pinion 50 keyedon the lower end of outer tubular shaft 12. j'Cam groove 46 similarly engages a roller 51 on one end of 'a bell crank 52 pivotally attachedto said plate 13, theother end of said hell crank en-l gaging a circumferentially grooved collar 53 rotatably butV longitudinally fiXedly attached to said outer tubular shaft 12 at a point above the gear 50. Oscillation of bell crank 52, it will accordingly be seen, is adapted to vertie cally recipro-cate said shaft 12 irrespective ofthe rotative movement thereof imparted through the medium of cam groove 45, rack 48 and gear 50. It will be noted that cam groove 46, at the point corresponding with the full raised position of outer shaft 12, has aslight reverse curve that permits of a corresponding slight drop of said shaft. The effect of this is to carry the picker fingers in the clear into proper position over the stack, then drop the same slightly and again raise them, thus separating the top-most sheet.

The lower end of inner tubular shaft 10, as shown in Fig..3, projects below outer tubular shaft 12 and below bearing 11, where it is connected through a suitable coupling with an air suction line 60. Said tubular shaft is in continuous communication, as previously described, with the hollow interior of cap piece v14, bracket 15 and the tubular parts leading from the latter to thel suction lingers 20, subject to the control of the valve 61, shown in detail in Fig. 8.

Valve 61 may of course take on various forms and it need not be necessarily located at the particular pointfin the air line thus shown yfor the purpose of illustration, but may, for example, be connected with the suction line 60, or otherwise as found most convenient. inasmuch, however, as it is sufficient for the purpose in hand simply to relieve the vacuum introduced in the picker fingers by the suction supplied through suoli line 60, the illustrative valve shown in the figures in question serves every purpose. Such illustrative valve consists simply of a segmental member fitted to the periphery of a disk 62, in which there is a radial port 63 that communicates with the interior of tubular member 17, the latter being otherwise sealed, save for the openings in the ends of the picker lingers 20. Accordingly, when the valve closes the port 63 there will be an effective suction vat the ends of said fingers, but upon opening said port by oscillating the valve to suitably clear the same, such suction eilect is interruptechas will be readily understood.Y f

Theoperating mechanism forthe valve'is designed to open and close the port with a quick or sudden movement, and to this end a pair of toggle links 64 and 65 are employed, the outer ends of said links being connected with cap piece 14 and an arm 66 projecting from the valve, Relative movement between the two links is limited by a pin 67 on said link 65 that lies between two spaced stops 63 on the other. link 64, ai tension' spring 69' serving to hold such pin in Contact with oneY or the other stop,as the case may be. A link 7 0 pivotally attachedxto the outer 'vertical' toggle links 64 and 65 pastv the center in onev direction or the other, depending upon whether said vertical shaft 13 is beingl raised or lowered. To this end Vsaid link 7 Ohas an elongated slot 71 nea-r its free end, the extent of such slot being adjustable through the medium of a set screw 72 and the pin 73 that interconnects the toggle links and projects into such slot. This pin will accordingly be free to move through the full range permitted by the stop 68, the moment said pin is carried across the line joining the pivotal centers at the .outer ends of said links.

Since it is upon the down stroke of sleeve 12, and thus of'link70, that the foregoing mechanism is actuated to cause valve 61 to uncover port- 63, the vtiming of such action can be nicely regulated by proper adjustment of set screw 72. The timing of return movement is of course not so important' since itv sufficies if the suction is again effective at the ends of the picker fingers 20any time during the course of their return movement to the stack 5 for the purpose of picking up a fresh sheet. lt is essential, however, that the sheet when delivered be dropped at the rightr moment, and this result is secured by the mechanism in question, as shouldy be clea from the foregoing. description.`

The Imodified form of valve 75, shown in Fig. 9, is on the order of a flap pivotally attached to one side of cap 14, and serving in its normal seated position, (illustrated in full lines in said figure) vto close an opening in the upper end of said cap, which'functions exactly as does port 63 in the first described construction. lnV other wor-ds, when said valve 7 5 is raised in the position shown in dotted outline in F ig. 9 the suction effect at the ends of the picker fingers is interrupted. Actuation of valve 75 is secured by means of toggle links 76 and 77 that correspond in general with toggle links 64 and 65, except that their outer ends are differently attached. Thus the outer ends of said link 76 is pivotally attached througha link 7 8 having a lost-motion connection with. a lever 79 on the valve 75 torock the same in the fashion just described, while the outer end of link 77 is pivoted about a fixed point 8O on the end of tubular member 17. A tension spring 81, pin 82 and stops 83 function inprecisely the same manner as do the corresponding parts l sheet feeding mechanism, the operation .thereof as a Whole may be briefiy set forth.

scribed is secured, it will be understood,

through rack 48, which meshes with gear 50 keyed on the lower end of outer shaft 12, and the pin 33 which slidably engages cap piece 14. Y

Coincidentally with the rotative movement thus imparted to shaft 10, said outer shaft or sleeve 12 is first lowered, i. e., when the picker fingers are in position over the stack 5, and then vraised to raise said fingers; thereupon, during the horizontal swinging movement of the fingers, due to the turning of the shaft 12 about its axis, said shaft is lowered, due to appropriate reciprocation of bell-crank 52, so as to lower the fingers into position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 3; and finallythe movements just described are repeated in reverse order as the shaft swings the fingers back again into position over the stack.

Likewise, coincidentally with the swinging movement of the shaft and picker arms just described, the control of the suction in the inner shaft 10, so as to cause the picker fingers at the proper times to pick up and release a sheet, is secured through operation of the special form of valve, as shown in Fig. 8, or in modified form in Fig. 9.

VThe mechanism thus provided is relatively simpleand free from complications so that there is very little to get out of order. Furthermore, by` transferring the sheet through a a circular, or rather, arcuate, path, regarded in a horizontal plane, it is rendered possible to locate the stack or pile of sheets tobe fed to the press entirely to one sideof the latter,

thus enabling the operator tov approach the press and attend to its operation with the same freedom and ease he is accustomed to where feeding' a press by hand. The range of movement that requires-to be imparted to the several .component elements of the machine is in each inst-ance a small one, so that it is possible to operate the mechanism at a high rate of speed. Moreover, the Vadjustn'ient-s provided, both for the picker fingers and for the control of the suction thereto,

i enablefthe location of successive sheets on the platen to be nicely gauged so that the dilii culty ordinarily encountered in properly registering such sheets where fed by mechanical means is largely, if not entirely, obviated.-

i The sheet, in other words, does not require to be slid along the surface of the platen, but is brought down gently and accurately tolthe exact position which it wouldoccupy, and is there left by the coincidentrelease of the suction on the picker fingers. i

The adjustment in the position of provided through the opening of valve 61 by set screw 72, it should be explained, is in the nature of a refinement, since itispossi'ble to determinewith considerable exactness the the sheet location in which the sheetis deposited by properly placing the stack 5 and by correspondingly adjustingl the picker' or suction fingers 20. -The table 4, or the stack thereon, may be readily shifted transversely of the median line of the press so that the fingers will pick up successive sheets nearer or farther from the forward edge thereof.

In order to prevent the trailing edge of the sheet fromrising or fluttering, as `thesheet is transferred from the stack to the platen,

the fingers may be provided with rearwardly extending iexible extensions 85, as shown in Fig. 11. This shouldnot be necessary, howl ever, except in handling extremely light stock, since I have found that sheets of ordinary weight may be laid on the platen, in the fashion involvedin` the operation of the foregoing mechanism, with the saine delicacy and smoothness of contact as can be accomplished by the most skillful hand operation. f i

T henianner in which the ,twoV vertical shafts and 12 are interconnected and operated may obviously be varied without af-` fecting the construction or functioningof the sheet-transferring device proper. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10, the outer shaft 12 may terminateat the collar 53 and the pinion be'directly secured onto inner shaft'lO, so that the rotation of the later imparts rotative movement to said inner shaft, instead of the reverse. i

It will thus be seenfthat a mechanism is provided which can he controlled to pick up and to dischargeat various desired locations and in various timed relation, and'it is, accordinglyadaptable tothe entire range of service conditions involved in transferring sheets between a support or table andthe platen of a printing couple.

iny invention may befemployedinsteadf' of the one explained,change` being made as re-y gards the mechanism herein disclosed, Apro-V vided the means stated by any of the fols 1.1 5 4Othermodes of applying the principle. of

lowing claims vor the equivalent of such stated means be employed. 4

I therefore particularly point out andfdistinctlv claim as my invention'ezx `1. In mechanismi of thev4 character 'de-.;.

scribed, the combination with a support movable in an approximately horizontalf'plane, of meansincluding `a sheet engaging and moving device carriedby said support,' said device being `movable transversely of said iso .oscillate said device.

lof means including a sheet engaging and moving device oscillatorily mounted on said support so as to be movable transversely of the latter in a general vertical direction, and means carried by said support connected with said device and operable independently of the movementof said support adapted thus to actuate said device. Y f

3. In mechanism of they character described, the combination with a support movable in an approximately horizontal plane, of means including a member oscillatorily mounted on said support so as to be movable transversely of the latter in a general verticalfdirection, a sheet engaging and moving device oscillatorily mounted in turn onv said member at a point removed Vfrom the latters axis ofjoscillation, and means carried by said support connected with said device and operable independently of the movementof said support adapted to oscillate said device.

4. In mechanism of the character described. the combination with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of a sheet engaging and moving device carried by said arm, said finger being vmovable transversely of said arm in a general vertical direction. and means in partcarried by said arm and operable independently of the oscillation thereof adapted to control such movement device.

5. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory aboutV an approximately vertical axis, of a. sheet engaging and moving device oscillatorily'mounted on said arm so as to be movable transversely of the latter in a general vertical direction, and means in part carried by said arm and operable independently of the oscillation thereof adapted to 6. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with au arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axisn of av member oscillatorilymounted on said arm so as to be movable vtransversely of the latter in a lgeneral vertical direction. a sheet engaging and moving device oscillatorily mounted in turn on said member about an axis removedY from the latters axis Aof oscil-` lation, and meansvin-part carried by said arm adapted to oscillate said device about the latters own axis. `7. In mechanism of the character described. the combination of a vertical shaft, a support oscillatory about the sameV as an axis, a member mounted in said support so as to be oscillatory about an axis transverse of said shaft, a transversely extending arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, a sheet engaging and moving device oscillatorily mounted adjacent the end of said arm, and means carried by said member adapted to oscillate said' device about the latters own axis.A f

8. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a platen, of a sheet engaging and moving finger,r means for movably supporting same, said means including a member having an oscillatory path of travel and a second member oscillatorily mounted on said first member about an axis removed from the latters axis of oscillation, both of said members being located above said platen vin the sheet receiving position .of the latter, and means adapted positively thus to move said members, respectively.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of means including a member carried by said arm provided with a sheet engaging and moving finger, said member being oscillatory in a vertical plane lying transversely of said arm. l

lO. In mechanism lof `the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of means including a member provided with a sheet engaging and moving finger, said mem.- ber being osci'llatorily mountedvon said arm so as to be pivotally movable in a vertical plane lying transversely of the latter.

'11. In mechanism of the character described, the combina-tion with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of a member oscillatorily mounted on said arm so as to be movable in a plane lying transversely of the latter, and a second member provided with a sheet .engaging and moving finger, said secondmember being oscillatorily mounted in turn on said first member about an axis removed from the latters axis of oscillation. Y f

12. In mechanism of the character` de scribed, the combination` with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of a member oscillatorily mounted on said arm so as to be movable in a. plane lying transversely of the latter, and a second member provided with a sheet engagingY and moving finger, said second member being oscillatorily mounted in turn on said first memberabout an axis removed from the latters axis of oscillation and extending reversely from its own axis towards the latteris axis. f' Y y 13. In mechanism of the character-described, the combination of a vertical shaft, a support oscillatory aboutthe sameV as an axis, a member'mounted in said support so engaging and moving finger carried by said arm. r

14. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a vertical shaft, a support oscillatory about the same as van axis, a member mounted in said support soV as to be oscillatory about an axis transverse of said shaft, an arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, said arm extending transversely of said member, and a second armprovided Awith a sheet engaging and moving finger, saidsecond arm being oscillatorily mounted adjacent the end of said first arm.

15. In mechanism of the character de-A scribed, the combination of a vertical shaft, a support oscillatory about-the same as an axis, a member mounted in said support so as to be oscillatory about an axis transverse of said shaft, an arm carried by said member and oscillatory' therewith, said arm extending transversely of .said member, and a second arm provided with a sheet engaging4 and moving finger, said second arm being oscillatorily mounted adjacent the endof said first arm and extending in a reverse direction therefrom towards the axis of said first arm.

16. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a support oscillatory about a vertical axis, a tubular member mounted in said support so as to be oscillatory about an axis transverse to vthat .of said support, a tubular arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, said arm extending transversely of said member, a tubular shaft oscillatorily mounted in said arm adjacent the end thereof about an axis parallel with-that of said member, and a second tubular arm extending'transversely fromsaid shaft and terminating in a suction tip, the passages in said tubular member, armsf'and shaft communicating with each other.

17, In mechanism of the character described, the combinationof a support oscillatory about a vertical axis, a tubular member mounted in said support so as to be oscillatory about 'an axis transverse to that of said support, a tubular arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, said arm extending transversely of said member, a tubular shaft oscillatorily mounted in said arm vadjacent the Aend thereof about an axis parallel with that of said member, and a second. tubular arm extending transverselyfrom said shaft and terminating in an angularly related suc,- tion tip, the passages in said `tubular member, arms and shaft communicating with each other. f

18. In mechanism of `the character described, the combination ofa support oscillatory about a Vertical axis, a tubular member port. e a f e, "28. Ininechanism of Hthecharacter de'-`V scribed, the combinationl with a support mov mounted-in said support so as tovbe oscillatory about an'axis transverseto. that of said support, a tubular arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, said arm extending transversely of said member, a tubular shaft oscillatorily `mounted in said arm adjacent the end thereof about an axis parallel with -that ofl said member, and a second,

longitudinally extensible tubular arm.' extending transversely from said shaft and terminating in an angularly relatedl suction tip.y the passages 1n `said tubular member,

arms and shaft communicating with, each other.

, 19. In mechanism vof the character described, the combinationwith a support oscillatory aboutV a vertical axis, atubular member mountedin said support so as to be oscillatory about an axis transverse to'that of said support, .a transversely extending tubular arm carried by said -member and oscillatory therewith, a transverse tubularshaft oscillatorily mounted ladj acent the endof said arm, and a tubular member terminating in' a suction tip extending transversely from saidshaft, said tubular member being reversely disposed relatively to said y arm'.

20. In mechanism of the character ldescribed, the combination witha support oscillatory about a vertical axis, a tubular member mounted in said support so astobe `oscillatory about an axis transverseto thatof said support, a transversely extending tubular larm'carried by vsaid member and oscillatory therewith, a transverse tubular? shaft oscillatorily mounted adjacent the end 'of said arm',

and a tubular member Yterminating ina suction tip extending 'transversely from said` shaft, said tubular member` being of adjustable length and reversely disposed relatively to said arm. i

21. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a support oscillatory about a vertical axis, a tubular member mounted yin saidsupport so as to beoscillatory about an axis transverse to that of said support; a transversely extending tubular arm carried by said member and oscillatory therewith, a transverse tubularl shaft oscillatorily mounted adjacent the end of said arm, a lever` on shaft, a link connecting said lever with said-support, and a tubular member terminatingin a suction tip extending transverse-- ly from said shaft, 4

22.ln mechanism of the character described, the combination with a support movable in an approximatelyhorizontal plane',

of a pneumatic suction finger carried by said support,V said finger being movable transversely .of said support in a general Vertical direction, and means adapted-thus to move said finger` during the movementof saidA supf transversely of the latter in a general vertical direction, and means adapted thus tc oscillate said finger to raise the same during the movement of said support in one kdirection nd to lower the same during the movement of said support in another direction. 25. Inl mechanism of the character described, the combination with two telescoping vertically disposed shafts oscillatory about their Vcommon axis, the one shaft being also longitudinally reciprocable, a.V support mounted on the other shaft, and a pneumatic suction finger oscillatorily mounted on said support so as to be movable transversely of the latter in ageneral vertical direction, said reciprocable'shaft being connected thus to .oscillate said finger. I

26.- In mechanism of the character described, the combination with two telescoping vertically disposed shafts oscillatory about their common axis, the one shaft being also longitudinally reciprocable, a support mounted on the other shaft, a pneumatic suction finger oscillatorily mounted on said support so as to be movable transversely of the latter ina general vertical direction, said reciprocable shaft being connected thus to oscillate said finger, and means respectively adapted to oscillate said shafts and to reciprocate said reciprocable shaft.

27. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with two telescoping vertically disposed shafts oscillatory about their common axis, the one shaft being also longitudinally reciprocable, a support mounted on the other shaft, a pneumatic suC tion finger oscillator-ily mounted on said support so as to be movable transversely of the latter in a general vertical direction, said reciprocable shaft being connected thus 'to oscillatesaid finger and also to control the suction thereto.

i 28. The combination with the platen of a printing couple, of a vertical support located in a position laterally adjacent to said platen,

' v and sheettransferring means carried by said supportin an approximately arcuate path between said platenV and a station located adjacent to said Vsupport and beyond the same with reference to said platen whereby approach to the front of said platen is left unobstructed, said means'also being capableof independent vertical movement.`

29. The combination with the platen of a printing couple, of a vertical support disposed laterally adjacent to said platen, a table for a stack of sheets located adjacent to said support andfbeyond the same with reference to said platen, whereby approach to the latter is left wholly unobstructed,

mea-ns carried by said support adapted to' transfer a sheet between said table and platen, said means being movable in an approximately arcuate path, and means for adjustably controlling the location of the points of pick up and discharge of the sheets. Y

30. The combination with the platen of a printing couple, of a vertical support disposed laterally adjacent to said platen, a table for a stack of sheets located adjacent to said support and beyond the sameV with reference to said platen, whereby approach to the latter is left wholly'unobstructed, andk means carried by said support adaptedV to transfer a sheet between said table and platen, said means being movable in an arcuate path and also vertically. A

31. The combination withV the platen of a printing couple, of a vertical support disposed laterally adjacent to said platen, a table for a stack of sheets located adjacent to said support andbeyond the same with reference to said platen,'wherebyv approach to the latter is left wholly unobstructed, an arm projecting approximately horizontally from said support and oscillatory thereabout, and a pneumatic suction finger on the free end of said arm adapted to transfer a sheet between said table and platen, said finger describing an arcuate path. as said arm oscillates.v

82. The combination with the platen of a printing couple, of a vertical support disposed laterally adjacent to saidplaten, a table for a stack of sheets located adjacent to said support and beyond thesame with reference to said platen,whereby approach to the latter is left wholly unobstructed, an arm projecting approximately horizontally from said support and oscillatory thereabout, .and a pneumatic suction finger on the free end of said arm adapted to transfer a sheet between said table and platen, said finger describing an arcuate path as said arm oscillates and being also vertically movable relatively to said arm.

33. The combinationwiththe platen kof a v the latter is left wholly unobstructed, an armk projecting approximately horizontally from said support and oscillatory thereabout, and a pneumatic suction finger on. the freeA endr of said arm adapted totransfer a sheet between `said table and platen, said finger describing an arcuate path as said'arm oscillates and beall) ing also oscillatory in a vertical plane relatively to said arm.-

34. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, of means including a pneumatic suction device carried by said arm, said device being bodily movable transversely `thereof in a pl-ane substantially at right angles to the plane lof said arm.

V35. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory about an approximately .vertical axis, of la pneumatic suction device oscillatorily mounted on said arm to be bodily movable transversely thereof in means including a plane substantially at right angles.

36. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with an arm oscillatory -about an approximately vertical axis, of a member oscillatorilymounted on said -arm to be movable transversely thereof, and a suction device oscillatorily mounted in turn om said member at a. point removed from the "latters axis of oscillation so as to be bodily movable in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said arm.

437. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a support oscil-V latory about a vertical axis, a tubular `memberimounted'in said support to be oscillatory `about anaxis transverse to that of said support, atubular 4arm carried by said member and loscillatory therewith, a tubular shaft oscillatorily mounted adjacent the end-of said arm, and asecond tubular arm terminating :in 1a y suctiontip lextending transversely from vsaid shaft so as to 'be bodily movable in a plane substantially 'at right angles to the V:plane of said support.

"38. In `mechanism of vthe character vdescribed,fthe combination-of a support oscilla- 'tory about anapproximately` vertical axis, a Y'guide member on said support normally occupying a fixed position relatively thereto, :a whorizontally extending member movably `moun'tedon said guide member and carrying a--sheet engaging and moving device. c

89. In mechanism of the character described,\thefcombination of asupport oscillatory about aniapproximately vertical axis,a guide member onsaid support, a horizontally 'extending member movably mounted on said guidemember and carrying a sheet engaging 'andmovingfdevicm said horizontally extend- 4.ing member being oscillatory about anaxis transverse'of said guide member,and means adapted to oscillate said horizontally extendxing member `incidentally to movement thereof-'on `said guide member.l

40. Inwmechanism -of the character ydei scribed, the combination of a support oscilla- `tory about an approximately vertical axis,.a Nguide vmember'on said support, aihorizontally `"extendingmember movably mounted on said 41. In mechanism vof :the .character described, the combination of a support oscillatory about yan approximately vertical axis, ,a guide member on said su ort, a horizontally extending member mova y mounted on said guide member and :carrying a sheet engagin and movingV device, said horizontally exten ing member being oscillatory about an axis transverse of said guide member, means adapted to oscillate said horizontally extending member incidentally to movement thereof on said guide member, and other means adapted respectively `to oscillatesaid support and move said `horizontally extending member'on said guide member.

4Z In mechanism of the character .described, the ycombination of azsupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical'axis, a guide member on said support, a horizontally extending member movablyrmounted on said guide vmember and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, and :means adapted .-respectivelyT to oscillate said support and move saidV horizontally extending member on said guide member, operation of the means for thus moving said V'horizontally extending member being unaiected by oscillation of said support. 43. In mechanism of 4fthe character described, `the combination ofa support, oscillatory about an approximatel-yvertical axis, a guide member on ysaid support, :a horizontally extendingmember movablymounted on said guide memberand carrying 'a sheet en ga'giiig and movingdevice, said horizontally extending membe-rbeing oscillatory about an axis' transverse of said guide member, Iineans adapted to oscillate said horizontally extending `member incidentally co-movement thereof on vsaid guide member, andfother means adapted respectively `to oscillate said support and move said `horizontally extending member on saidguide member, operation of the means xfor'thus moving said horizontally extendingmember being unaffected by oscillation of said-support; f

44. In mechanism of the character-.described,.thc combination of a support oscillatory aboutan approximately vertical axis, a guide member onsaid support, a horizonals tally-extending member movably mounted on ,Y

said guide member/and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, such, device/:being adjustable longitudinally of said carrying member. N

scribed, the combination of a support oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, a guide member on said support, a horizontally` extending-member movably mounted on c l 45. In` mechanismof the character desaidxguidemember, anda pluralityof sheet engaging and moving devices carried by said member, said devices being independently adjustable longitudinally of said carrying member. Y

46. A mechanism of the 4character described, the combination of a horizontally extending .member carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, means supporting said member arranged and constructed to impart to said device a compound vertically reciprocatory and. horizontally oscillatory movement, and a guide member for said carrying member.

47. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a horizontally extending membercarrying a sheet engaging and movingdevice, means'supporting said member arranged and constructed to impart to said de Tice a compound vertically reciprocatory and horizontally oscillatory movement, and a guide member for said carrying member,-normally occupying a fixed position.

48. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a support oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of an approximately vertical axis, a guide member normally occupying a fixed position relatively' to said support, a horizontally extending member movably attached to said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, and connections between said support and said carrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement of the former is imparted to the latter. l

49. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a support oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of an approximately vertical axis, a guide member normally occupying a iixed position relatively to said support, a horizontally extending member movably attached to said guide member and carrying sheet engaging and moving device, and connections between said support and said carrying member,

' whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement'of the former is imparted to the latter, the latter being also oscillatory-about itsiown axis.

50. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally Vof an approximately vertical axis, a guide member normally occupying a fixed position relatively to said support, a horizontally extending member movablyattached to said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and movement device, connections between said support and said carrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement of the former is imparted to the latter, the lat-ter beingvalso oscillatory about its own axis, and means adapted thus to oscillate said carrying member incidentallyto its reciprocatory movement.

5l. A paper-handling mechanism for platen presses comprising a tablefdisposed mainly to one side of the press, and means for eecting transference of the sheets by their edges between said table and the platen of the press, said means comprising an arinrocliable about a substantiallyvertical axis located at one side of the press, a device associated with said arm for holdinga sheet at its edge, means for rocking said arm, and means for oscillating said armaboutits own axis.

52. In a printing press,-in combination, a platen device, a table disposed mainly at one side of the press,a sheet transferring device, means for eifecting a movement of said sheet transferring device between said table and said platen device, said movement including roel-ring4 about a substantially vertical axis located at one side of the press substantially vertical reciprocation and oscillation about the axis of said sheet transferring device, and means-for adjusting'the position reached by said transferring device with respect to. said platen device. Y

53. In mechanism ofthe character Y, described, the combination of a support oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, a guide member on said support, and a horizontally extending member movably mounted on said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, said horizontally extending member being oscillatory ,about an axis transverse of said guide member.

54. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of two supports horizontally oscillatory about anr approximately vertical-axis, means to oscillate the same, a guide member on one of said supports occupying aV fixed position relatively to other support, one of said supports adapted yto reciprocate vertically in `addition to vits horizontally oscillatory Vmovement and means to reciprocate the same. y

55.v In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of two supports horizontally oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis, means to oscillate the same, a guide member on one of said supports occupying a fixed position relatively to other support, one of said supports adapted toreciprocate vertically in addition to its horizontally oscillatory movement, means to-reciprocate same, and. a horizontally extendingmember mounted on one of said supports and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device.

' 56. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a sheet engaging and moving device, and supporting and actuating means for said deviceincludinga horied to oscillate with said horizontally oscillatory support, means for oscillating said horizontally oscillatory support and to reciprocate said vertically reciprocatory member, the combined movements of the supporting and actuating means imparting to said engaging and moving device a compound vertically reciprocatory and a horizontally oscillatory movement. 'f

57 In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of two supports mounted for conjoint oscillation about a substantially vertical axis, one of said supports being vertically reciprocable relatively to the other, means for thus oscillating and reciprocating said supports, a horizontally extending arm mounted on one of said supports, means including a sheet engaging and moving device carried by said arm so as to be movable relatively thereto, and operative connections between said device and the other of said supports, whereby said device is moved upon relative reciprocation of said supports.

Signed by me, this 12th day of April, 1921.

CHARLES F. ROOT. 

